Freya’s Gold by Fiona Longmuir - Book Review

Publication Date: 06th June 2024

Genre: Middle Grade Adventure 

4.3 Stars 

One Liner: Wonderful! 

The seaside town of Edge flourishes in summer and goes into hibernation in winter. It is interesting legends about pirates, secret caves, and hidden treasures. A twelve-year-old Freya lives with her Granny Kate and runs a B&B in the town. She has a routine life and enjoys spending time with her best friend, Lin. Then, a mysterious stranger arrives that winter. 

Soon, Freya has to face her fears or lose everything she holds dear. When it seems that the hidden treasure could be the only solution, Freya has to embark on an adventure to find it. But does the treasure even exist, or is she going on a wild goose chase? 

The story comes in Freya’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

I’m always ready for an adventure with the kids. The cover has many elements related to the plot and offers an exciting glimpse into what lies ahead. 

I like Freya’s characterization. Most kids in this genre tend to be brave (reckless) and jump into action without much thought. She is the opposite. She has many fears and struggles to even talk in front of a small crowd. This adds a layer to the narrative. I could empathize with her panic while urging her to give it a shot. The whole arc is kept quite realistic, which is a big plus. 

Lin is a wonderful best friend! She is vibrant, fun, and understanding. Some side characters are well-defined, even if they are not detailed. It works well since the story is fast-paced and moves steadily. 

The adventure has its share of risks, fears, danger, and panic. Yet, the kids do their best to overcome their fears and do what they can (the alternative isn’t good, after all!). There’s one worrying part with an injury (no details about how it was dealt with) that made me want to know more.

And there’s an instance where two friends fight. Quite common, obviously. However, only one of them apologizes when both are rude. That feels wrong. The other one also had to apologize for their behavior.

The setting is well done with a lighthouse, small-town charm, chilly winter winds, rain, and a generous hint of danger. There’s a nod to diversity too! I’m not surprised to find an Indian since our people do go to the remotest of places and live there. ;) 

To summarize, Freya’s Gold is a fast-paced adventure filled with emotions, vulnerabilities, and kids trying to fight for the good. You can easily finish it in a single sitting.  

Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #FreyasGold